This edition was prepared by David Anderson — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
King Arthur had three sons
Staff Notation • Secular, Partsongs, Folk songs
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King Arthur had three sons by Rutland Boughton — Lyrics
King Arthur had three sons–
That he had;
He had three sons of yore,
And he kicked ’em out o’ door
Because they could not sing–
That he did;
He had three sons of yore,
And he kicked ’em out o’ door
Because they could not sing.
The first, he was a miller–
That he was;
The second, he was a weaver–
That he was;
And the third, he was a little tailor boy,
And he was mighty clever–
That he was.
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About King Arthur had three sons
Rutland Boughton's King Arthur had three sons is a secular folksong arrangement for SATB choir. The text tells a humorous, traditional story of King Arthur's sons and their various trades, ending with a rather cheeky twist about the tailor. The composer uses the folk-like narrative to create a lively and engaging choral piece. The direct, storytelling lyrics lend themselves to a clear and spirited musical setting, making this a charming addition to a concert programme. The English text is well-suited to the voices, offering opportunities for dynamic contrast and clear diction.
